A Research about Fire Incidents in the Philippines,

Fire Hazards and How to Deal with Them

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Baliuag University Senior High School

Baliuag, Bulacan

A Research Paper Submitted To:

Miss Mikaela Marie G. Santos

Submitted By:

Danielle P. Bagaforo

Gabriel DC. Castro

Angelou M. Feliciano

Alexandra R. De Guzman

Mark Sean Verick C. Mainque

Marielle R. San Pedro

 INTRODUCTION

Fire is known for its beneficial uses. It produces heat that can be used by people

especially those who are in polar and temperate regions who often experience extreme

cold weather. Also, it gives us light even before electricity has been discovered to make

the bulbs and other lamps function to provide light. It is also widely used in cooking. It

also provides energy, for fire is used to burn fossil fuels to convert them into useful

energy that is supplied in every home. But then, due to improper use, fire creates a wide

destructive event that suddenly leads to hazard.

Fire hazards, be natural or manmade, can pose threats to life and property.

According to Safeopedia, fire hazards include all types of live flames, causes of sparks,

hot objects, and chemicals that are potential for ignition, or that can aggravate a fire to

become large and uncontrolled. Fire hazards also include all types of potential threats to

fire prevention practices, firefighting, built-in fire safety systems and situations that

restrict the escape of people from an affected building or area in the event of a fire.

In the Philippines, several notable fire incidents are recorded every year. The

graveness of the incidents of fire per year differs - from the amount of money lost due to

the fire down to the number of lives killed and injured, but what makes fire incidents

worse are the common mistakes and malpractices that lead to serious accidents, and

eventually result to fire as a disaster.

To increase the awareness of every people about fire as a hazard, the research

team conducted a study about the cases of fire incidents from year 2007 to 2017. This

research also includes the ways on how to prevent fire hazard to become a disaster and

what to do whenever a fire incident occurs. Through the pieces of details being encoded

and decoded, the research team hope that the negative impacts of fire incidents will be

lessened, and at the same time, people will have acquired knowledge regarding fire

incidents, and what to do to avoid them.

 NOTABLE CASES

Figure 1 | Detailed Report on the Fire Incidents from Year 2007-2017

Cause of
Fire Type of Area Amount
NOTABLE of
CASES Duration of the Fire
Year Fire
Incident Affected Casualty/Loss Incident
Incident
2007 Bocaue Fire Business Unknown A cigarette 1 hour (December 31,
Incident Establishment was thrown 2007: 10:00am-
near a 11:00am)
firecracker
2008 Narra Residential PHP 1,500,000 Faulty 3 hours and 45
Residence Area electrical minutes (January 10,
Hall Fire wiring 2008: 4:15am-
Incident 8:00am)
2009 Lahug, Cebu Residential PHP 200,000 Unknown 14 minutes
Fire Incident Area (November 3, 2009)
2010 Duljo, Residential PHP 2,900,000 A candle left 2 hours (November 1,
Fatima, Area lighted 2010: 9:06pm-
Cebu Fire 11:06pm)
Incident
2011 Laperal Residential PHP A phone 3 hours (April 19,
Compound, Area 35,000,000 charging was 2011; 12:00pm-
Makati Fire left plugged 3:00pm)
Incident
2012 Tutuban Commercial PHP 2,200,000 Faulty 46 hours (September
Mall Fire Establishment electrical 5, 2012: 12:41am-
wiring September 6, 2012;
10:00am)
2013 Olongapo Commercial PHP 1,000,000 Welding near 1 hour and 30
Hotel Fire Establishment flammable minutes (January 11,
Incident materials 2013; 3:30am-
6:00am)
2014 Zamboanga Residential PHP 100,000 Faulty 1 hour and 45
Fire Incident Area electrical minutes (November
wiring 15, 2014; 12:45am-
2:30am)
2015 Parola Residential PHP Possible 12 hours and 30
Compound, Area 55,000,000 cooking minutes (March 2,
Manila Fire accidents or 2015; 6:00pm-March
Incident electrical 3, 2015-6:30am)
appliances
tripping on
faulty
connections
2016 Tondo, Residential PHP Kwitis 9 hours (January 1,
Manila Fire Area 10,000,000 (Firecracker) 2016: 2:00am-
Incident 9:15am)
2017 NCCC Mall Commercial Unknown Faulty 32 hours (December
Davao Fire Establishment electrical 23, 2017; 9:30am-
Incident wiring at the December 24, 2017;
circuitry of 5:30pm)
the third floor
of the mall
 Figure 2 | Number of Affected People During the Fire Incidents Indicated in the
Previous Table
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Dead
Missing (Recovered)
Injured

One notable case per year from 2007-2017 has been primarily studied based on

the affected components (people and casualties) after the fire incidents occurred. Also,

the causes of the fire incidents, including the duration of the fire incident were indicated

and are based on the thorough investigation of the authority, and the research team as

well.

As the first figure depicts, there were 11 incidents, indicating a selected case per

year, and most of them happened all over Metro Manila. The worst case of fire incident

based on the amount of casualties is the Parola Compound Fire Incident in Manila that

happened last March 2, 2015 around 6 pm and was declared “fire-out” March 3, 2015 at

6:30am. The fire burned almost approximately PHP 55,000,000 in the area that made

10,000 families homeless. Possible cooking accidents or electrical appliances tripping on

faulty connections were the probable cause of the 12-hour fire incident.

Meanwhile, Tutuban Mall Fire in September 5, 2012 made 45 people injured

during the fire incident that is caused by faulty electrical wiring. Although approximately

PHP 2,200,000 amount of casualty was recorded in the said incident, it did not declared

any death of missing people. It took 46 hours for the incident to be declared “fire-out.”

On the other hand, the NCCC Mall Davao Fire Incident that happened 2 days

before the Christmas Day 2017 could be the possible most tragic fire incident based on

the number of fatalities. According to the investigation, faulty electrical wiring is the
cause of the incident that led to the death of 38 people. Authorities say the exit paths of

mall were not smoke and heat-proof and there were no functioning sprinklers in the area

that led to the tragic fire incident. The amount of casualty in the incident is still unknown

because thorough investigation is still ongoing.

Some fire incidents weren’t given sufficient information despite their thorough

investigation of the authority. Bocaue Fire, way back in 2007, had an unknown amount of

casualties during the incident, although there has been a report that 10 stores of

firecrackers were burnt during the incident. Meanwhile, the 2009 Lahug, Cebu Fire

Incident’s cause of fire was still a big question for the authority.

Risk Factors Underlying the Fire Incidents

As the researchers observed in the notable cases provided, most of them are

caused by faulty electrical wiring, especially to those cases that happened in the

commercial establishments. Also, the contingency plans during the fire incidents in

commercial establishments were not observed. A specific example for this is the case of

2017 NCCC Mall Fire in Davao last December 23, 2017. According to Superintendent

Jerry Candido, the sprinklers inside the mall are not functioning because there were

neither sprinkler heads nor water. Also, fire exits weren’t smoke and heat-proof.

Other factors that affected the graveness of the casualties during the fire incidents

were the “human activities that were left unattended.” In the case of 2010 Duljo, Fatima,

Cebu Fire Incident, a candle was left lighted. On the other hand, 2011 Laperal Compound

Makati Fire Incident happened because a phone was left plugged and charging. Both

cases burnt millions of properties that led to huge amount of casualties.

Perspectives on the Fire Incidents

Physical consequences that can happen during fire incidents include the loss of

homes, properties, including the high number of fatalities and injuries related to human

malpractices. Meanwhile, psychological conflicts include trauma due to several factors

such as suffering in serious injuries or unexpected death of loved ones that has been

witnessed during the fire incident. On the other hand, socio-cultural aspects that can be

affected during fire incidents include the interruption of communication. Lastly,

economic aspect that can be conflicted includes the disruption of the flow of business if

ever that the affected infrastructure is a commercial or business establishment that

sometimes leads to bankruptcy.

 WHAT TO DO?

The government, particularly the Local Government Units (LGUs), provide

contingency plans that aim to prevent the community from being immobile especially

during fire occurrence. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 3 (BFP-R3)

Contingency Plan for the Municipality of Baliuag, Bulacan, the main objective of their

fire incident contingency plan is to effectively and efficiently

extinguish/suppress/respond to destructive fires.

There are three plans of action that is provided in case of fire incidents. First,

upon receipt of call, gather information for verification purposes. Confirmation should

always come first especially for such critical incident that may change your life.

Whenever there is fire, firemen would analyze and verify the situation first. Second,

response (approximately 3-5 minutes) en-route time should be observed. Fire, being

known for the danger that it brings out, must be given an instant attention. People in-

charge must be alert at all times especially when an incident like fire cannot be predicted

unless it happens. Giving immediate and quick response should always be given to avoid

greater amount of casualties. Lastly, activate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) if

necessary. When there is fire, expect that there are also people who can be injured, so

immediate action from medical team should be given.

In case of fire occurrence, coordinate with respective FM/OPN (fire

truck/personnel) and MDRRMO Baliwag for assistance and for easier communication

with the personnel in charge. It is necessary to approach the appropriate office to receive

proper and fast assistance.

The MDRRMO of the Municipality of Baliuag allocated 7 personnel assigned for

putting out the fire, and 7 personnel to offer medical assistance during the incident of fire.

The total amount of budget allocated for every fire incidents that will occur is around

PHP 10,000.
Fire incidents are truly inevitable, although they can be prevented if people will consider

these precautionary measures:

● Never use flammable liquids indoors.

● Never smoke near flammable liquids.

● Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.

● Be careful when using heating sources and cooking burners.

● Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.

Fire incidents, despite the care that we practice, will still occur if some people don’t do

the same. In case of unexpected fire incidents, people must be ready at all times. These

safety measures can help people prepare for it:

Fire Incident

Before

● Review escape routes with your family.

● Practice escaping from each room.

● Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level.

● Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician.

● Install fire extinguishers in your residence and teach family members how to use

them.

● Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and

prevention.

During

● If your clothes catch on fire, you should stop, drop, and roll - until the fire is

extinguished.

● To escape a fire, you should check closed doors for heat before you open them. If

the door is hot, do not open.

● Try to escape through other door or window.

● If the door is cool, open slowly and ensure fire and smoke are not blocking your

escape route.
 ● Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases

collect first along the ceiling.

● Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.

After

● Contact your local disaster relief service if you need temporary housing, food and

medicines.

● Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter.

● Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.

● The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are

disconnected before they leave the site.

● Do not attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.

● Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.

● Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.

● Try to locate valuable documents and records.

 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

The researchers conducted a research about fire incidents in the Philippines in

order to raise Filipino’s awareness regarding the disadvantages of people’s malpractices

in using fire for industrial and commercial use. They searched for a fir incident per year

from 2007-2017. As they studied different cases, data showed that most fire incidents

happened in residential areas, and are all caused by human malpractices in using

electricity and other materials that need fire. All of the fire incidents led to destruction of

properties, financial loss of commercial establishments and residential areas, and even

fatalities. To minimize the risk of fire hazards, the researcher set measures on what to do

whenever a fire incident strikes. Also, the researchers set precautionary measures to

observe in order to avoid fire incidents from happening.

Conclusion

After fulfilling the research, the researchers came up to a conclusion that fire can

be beneficial and destructive – beneficial in a way that it unleashes its industrial and

commercial uses, and destructive when it is misused. In order to avoid the listed notable

cases of fire incidents to happen again, they advised to follow the precautionary measures

that they had given in order to minimize the great impact of fire hazards.

Recommendation

This research focused on a specific case of fire incident per year, but those

incidents were not the events that lost the greatest in different aspects. The researchers

recommended the future researchers to have more comprehensive case studies about the

different fire incidents in the Philippines and how to avoid them.

 INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES

Danielle P. Bagaforo

Studying Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction made me aware of the hazards

that surround us. The subject helped me know further knowledge about how exposed and

at the same time vulnerable to disaster risk our country is. As a student who experienced

being devastated by disasters, DRRR is truly important especially on ways on how to

cope up with disasters. Throughout the school year DRRR is one of the most enjoyed

subjects I have encountered. Not only because I could relate and built up interest in every

topic but also because of Miss Mika who patiently taught us topics relative to disaster I

learned how to be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared whenever disaster may

disrupt the normal function of our society. As we have started to do the research which is

about fire, we experienced going to a fire station just to gather the document needed for

the study. It may not have given me the hardest time to do the actual research since I just

did a few parts of it still, I can say that even if it was only a few it already gave me a hard

time to finish constructing every sentence. DRRR may seem easy to be learned but all

that matters is how we apply the knowledge in actuality or whenever disaster may occur

in our society.

Gabriel DC. Castro

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction (DRRR), for me, has been one of the

learning areas in Senior High School that is worth learning for. It helped me in dealing

with the danger that poses threat in my everyday life. I learned the differences between

hazard, disaster, and disaster risk, which are often used interchangeably. I also learned

the essence of having contingency plans whenever hazards can turn to disaster to

minimize the amount of casualties that will be caused by the hazard.

Aside from the acquired knowledge, this research has been the greatest

achievement I’ve ever had in this subject. This research taught me to become an eye

opener to everyone regarding the negative impacts of fire if misused.

 I’ve enjoyed a lot learning this subject with an ease. I really do hope that disaster

shouldn’t happen, but if ever that when that time will come, all of the knowledge I

acquired will be applied effectively.

Alexandra R. De Guzman

My personal experience defines something like riding a roller coaster because

there are times where in the class is so quiet and dull just like on the roller coaster the

straight paths and most of the times the class is so hyped up to the extent where in

everyone is laughing and that is the loop part on the roller coaster. The moment Ma'am

Mika entered our room during the start of the 2nd semester made us all scream in joy

because she is someone very kind and dear to us. She listens to our never ending rants

bout school works. As our teacher she can handle lessons very well. She makes sure that

everyone of us understands the lesson well.

Angelou M. Feliciano

I am actually enjoying this subject because we're having fun yet we're learning.

This subject can really help us in case there are emergencies. This subject informed me a

lot about what to do if ever there is a disaster. By the help of this subject, I am able to

inform my family and friends on what to do and to be safe during a disaster. I am also

glad that our teacher makes the lesson a lot easier that's why we're able to understand the

lessons. I can say that this subject can really help us in our future

Mark Sean Verick C. Mainque

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction is a subject that taught me a lot. I became

more aware of many disasters and what to do when it occurs. It also widen my

knowledge about the plans of local government in a certain hazard might occur. This

subject is both fun and interesting. I enjoyed being in this class.

Marielle R. San Pedro

Because of our subject Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction, I realized the

urgency of having an effective DRRM here in our country. I learned about how serious

hazards and disasters can be. I haven’t realized this before because I only knew about

disasters through the news. Now I already know that this subject may be easy but it
should be taken seriously because it is what we really need in real life. I hope in the

future, DRRR will be taught not only in SHS but also in Elementary and High School.